Exciting New APH Products Announced!

There’s Little Traffic On The Extra Mile

The theme for the 144th Annual Meeting of Ex Officio Trustees, "Traveling The Extra Mile," honors the contributions of those service providers who go many extra miles to assist APH in our work. We are excited to welcome Dr. Cay Holbrook as our keynote speaker on Thursday, October 11th, and you won’t want to miss her presentation about her personal hero, Annie Sullivan.

In addition to Cay’s great keynote, the Annual Meeting will again highlight current and upcoming APH products, with training sessions and opportunities to provide input on products in the works. We’ll have our annual poster sessions and information fair, where you’ll get up-to-the-minute information on what’s happening at APH, updates from the field, and more!

Friday night will bring the 2012 APH InSights Art awards banquet, and the induction of two giants, Phil Hatlen and Pete Wurzburger, into the field’s Hall of Fame. On Saturday, we’ll travel on the mighty Ohio River with a dinner cruise and dance on the Belle of Louisville.

An invitation for online registration will be appearing in your mailbox soon. If you do not receive an electronic invitation, please check the APH website for a registration link. We hope to see you there!

Hotel Reservations Now Available for Annual Meeting

The Galt House Hotel is looking forward to hosting the American Printing House for the Blind 2012 Annual Meeting, October 11—13. Online and phone reservations are now being accepted.

Join Us for the 12th Annual National Prison Braille Forum

Over seventy professionals from the fields of vision and corrections met at the 2011 Prison Braille Forum to exchange information about the challenges of operating a braille program in a prison setting, including (l-r): Michael Chan (CA), Donald Morrow (OH), and Sharon von See (WA).

Once again, APH Public Affairs staff will host a day-long conference focused on prison braille programs in conjunction with our Annual Meeting. This year’s Forum will be held on Wednesday, October 10 at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. Anyone who works with a program or is interested in learning more about the challenges and opportunities of producing braille within correctional facilities is welcome to attend.

The 2012 Forum will feature guest speaker Marie Amerson, recently retired Supervisor of Georgia Braille Transcribers at Central State Prison in Macon, Georgia. Marie has spent many years working to establish and manage braille production businesses behind prison walls, and she will give us some perspective on her journey.

The two agencies working with prison braille programs that received Second Chance Act grants in 2011 will give participants updates on their projects and discuss their plans moving forward. The Miami Accessible Media Project (MAMP) located in Miami Correctional Facility, Bunker Hill, Indiana, received funding to expand operations by adding digital file production and to assist qualified offenders set up accessible media production businesses upon release from prison. In Atlanta, Georgia, the Alternative Media Access Center received funding for PROFITT: Providing Real Opportunities for Income Through Technology. This project has developed a curriculum for prison braille programs that will be shared with corrections and vision professionals across the U.S.

There is no fee to attend the National Prison Braille Forum, however, pre-registration is requested. For details, call Becky Snider (502/899-2356) or send email to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

APH Endowment Makes Free Braille/Print Books Available for Preschool Children

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) has provided many Imagination Library books in a digital audio format for young children who are blind and visually impaired. Now, five titles each year will also be available in print/braille format. The titles selected from the current year’s list of DPIL books published by Penguin Group, are those most appropriate to translate into braille. Two hundred copies of each title will be made. The books will be provided free-of-charge to families.

This year’s print/braille titles include:

Old Bear and His Cub

A Mud Pie for Mother

My Lucky Day

Read to Tiger

Llama Llama Misses Mama

Since the purpose of this program is to promote early literacy in the home, applications should be made by parents or guardians rather than schools. Please help us spread the word.

FOUND: Video of Sally Mangold’s 2004 APH Keynote Address

Dr. Sally Mangold, author of over 45 books, articles and videos, keynoted the 2004 Annual Meeting at the Camberley Brown Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Mangold, who passed away just months after this address, demonstrated a lifelong commitment to literacy for students who are blind.

This beautiful presentation is a special gift to all of us.

APH Spends Quality Time with South Dakota Families

Burt Boyer spent July 7-8, with 10 families from the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Aberdeen, SD. He shared his expertise in a number of areas, spending time with the parents while their children were off "playing." Burt shared his own personal story, introduced parents to a number of APH products, expanded their knowledge of the Expanded Core Curriculum, and talked about self-advocacy. Item sent by EOT Marj Kaiser.

Burt Boyer, Early Childhood Project Leader (standing to the far left)

Math Wizards Convene at APH!

APH hosted a Math Focus Group July 9-12. The participants began by reviewing the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and the draft of the Maryland Common Core State Curriculum Frameworks for Braille – Mathematics. They worked through the week to determine manipulatives, tactile graphics, and Nemeth Braille Code needed to achieve the standards at Grades 4-5 and Grades 6-8.

Early Childhood Focus Group to Meet at APH

The Early Childhood Project Leader is hosting a focus group at APH on August 5—7, 2012. The purpose of this focus group meeting is to identify products that APH might produce to sell on quota in the future.

The focus group will discuss and prioritize product needs for children, ages birth to pre-k, who are blind and visually impaired. We certainly welcome product ideas from the field for the focus group to consider. Please use the New Product Idea Submission Form to send in an idea: www.aph.org/products/product-ideas/. The only idea that will not be considered is one that is not submitted!

Oldies but Goodies: The "Established" APH Product Series

Touch and Tell is a classic set of braille reading readiness books consisting of three volumes with tactile pages. These books were designed to help meet reading readiness needs of students who are blind or visually impaired. Volume I introduces square, circle, and triangle shapes, and the concepts of size and number of the shapes. Volume II builds on to these concepts and adds the concepts of difference and alikeness, as well as location on the page (over and under, left and right, etc.). Volume III continues to build on all of these same concepts while introducing braille dots. There are 16 tactile pages in each volume. The book has been divided into these three smaller sections for ease in handling by small hands as well as to minimize the time needed to complete each section in order to give children a chance for early and happy success.

This product is available with Federal Quota funds. The Touch and Tell Instruction Booklet offers suggestions for discussions and activities that may be used in conjunction with these books. The instruction booklet is available as a free APH Downloadable Product Manual.

If you have any suggestions for other products you would like to see highlighted in this monthly feature, please send your comments to Monica Turner at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

APH Treasures

The APH Barr Library supports research initiatives at APH, while the Migel Library is one of the largest collection of nonmedical information related to blindness in the world. Although the collections do not circulate, arrangements can be made to use the materials on-site. In addition, an ongoing digitization effort means APH will continue to make materials available through the online catalog at http://migel.aph.org.

Two of the many "Treasures from the APH Libraries" are described below.

From the Barr Library: Department of Educational and Technical Research. Annual Report of Research and Development Activities. Rep. Louisville: American Printing House for the Blind, 1959 – Current.

Housed in the Barr Library’s pamphlet file, the Annual Reports of Research and Development Activities give a very unique glimpse into the history of APH. The reports present a broad history dating back to 1959. But they do so through brief, specific summaries that each give a year-by-year progression of the company, its research, and its products. It is fascinating to see projects evolve before your eyes as you follow their progression through each year of documentation. Even the project titles develop and change as the reports go forward. Research Reports are currently in the process of digitization through Internet Archive, and will be accessible at Internet Archive through our Migel catalog.

From the Migel Library: Minogue, Anna C. The Girl Stenographer: A Thrilling Story of the Dangers and Temptations that Beset a Girl in Public and Private Offices. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger, 1922.

When "the girl with the sensible name of Agnes Duffy" sets out for the big city of Louisville for a chance at a better paying stenographer job, she is unaware of the potential dangers in store for her. Agnes’ past catches up with her present as a complex web of characters populates her universe. Will the nefarious Mr. Duncan succeed in his revenge plot for having been refused? Will Ms. Duffy’s blind confidant solve the mystery of his disappearing daughter? Will her mother succeed in pushing her to marry the successful lawyer, or will a truer love win out? And what is Agnes to make of the sophisticated woman with the changing identities? To enjoy one more quick summer read, click the full text link in the Migel catalog for "The Girl Stenographer," and be transported back to 1922 while enjoying the modern convenience of your choice of reading formats, including EPUB, Kindle and DAISY.

Congratulations to the Mississippi School for the Blind!

President Dr. Tuck Tinsley, on behalf of APH, congratulates the Mississippi School for the Blind on 165 years of service.

From the Field:

Seeking Large Print and Braille Readers for Graphing Research

The Georgia Tech Sonification Lab is seeking visually impaired participants for a compensated research study. Large print and braille users will be asked to solve several graphing questions in various formats, such as auditory graphs, visual graphs, and tactile graphics. The goal of this research is to explore computer-based graphs for blind and low vision K-12 students. More information on the GNIE project is available at http://bit.ly/mathgnie.

Sessions will be in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Center for the Visually Impaired. The study will take place July 26 – August 10, 2012, and will last no longer than one hour for each session. There will be two sessions, which can be completed on different days or at one sitting. Participants will be compensated $15 for their time, per session, for a total of $30.

Participants must be visually impaired, and either able to read 36-point large print or braille. Participants must also have successfully completed at least sixth grade mathematics. This study is currently open to people 18 and older. If you are under 18 and want to participate, please discuss this with Ben Davison. Contact Ben Davison at email hidden; JavaScript is required or 404-894-7314 if you would like to participate or have more questions about this study.

Seeking Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments and Mathematics Teachers for Accessible Graphing Study

Additional teachers of students with visual impairments and mathematics teachers are needed for an accessible graphing study. For information about this and other studies underway, please click on the following link and locate the "From the Field: Make a Difference through Research Participation" segment published in the May 2012 APH News: www.aph.org/news/may-2012

Assessment Workshops to be held November 1-2 in Fort Lauderdale

The Tactile Assessment of Performance (TAP) Workshop is designed to provide training for licensed or certified psychologists who anticipate a need to assess students who are totally blind. In addition, some measures for students with other levels of visual impairment will be discussed. However, the primary focus of this training is a series of subtests to be administered to students who use tactile and auditory means of accessing information. Each workshop participant will be given a free TAP kit and other materials to use for this training and future assessment purposes. The TAP Workshop will be held on November 1 and 2, 2012, at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North (room rate is $99 per night). The hotel is located at 6650 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, (954) 771-0440. It is possible to receive up to 12 APA-approved continuing education credits for participation in this 2-day training session. Contact Dr. Joan Chase, email hidden; JavaScript is required, (727) 733-7771, for more information or to register for this workshop.

While licensed psychologists are receiving training on administration of the TAP from Dr. Joan Chase, teachers of students with visual impairments have the opportunity to attend the "Weekend with the Experts" workshop with Dr. Lynne Jaffe. Dr. Jaffe will provide instruction on administration of the braille version of the Woodcock-Johnson III: Tests of Achievement. The W-J III training workshop is being sponsored and hosted free of charge to participants in cooperation with the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired and the American Printing House for the Blind. For more information or to register for the Woodcock-Johnson training, please contact Kay Ratzlaff at email hidden; JavaScript is required or (813) 837-7829.

Psychologists and teachers of students with visual impairments will have valuable opportunities to network, share ideas, and learn assessment concerns and techniques unique to students who are blind and visually impaired. Both workshops have been approved by the Florida Department of Education.

The workshops provide opportunities for networking and refreshing skills, learning more efficient methods to do our work, and discussing our unique skills with others working in the same field. All aspects of braille transcription will be covered including mathematics, music, textbooks, tactile graphics, and more. Reservations should be made on or before September 27, 2012, to receive our special room rate of $119.00 per night. Call 210-227-4392 to make your reservations today! Contact: Jana Hertz, 949-489-7484, Fax 949-249-6781, for more information.

APH Bids a Fond Farewell to Sandi Baker

Sandi Baker (right) with APH President Dr. Tuck Tinsley

Sandi Baker, Research Department, recently passed two major milestones in one week. On July 25th she received her 10 year service award from the American Printing House for the Blind and on August 1st she retired from her position as Core Curriculum Project Leader.

Sandi came to APH in November, 2001 as a field services representative. While in that position, she traveled extensively providing workshops on various topics and demonstrations of products for students who are blind and visually impaired. She also produced several videos on APH products including Crafty Graphics;ENVISION I and II; and Students Who Are Deafblind Using APH Products.

In 2010 she joined the Research Department as the Core Curriculum Project Leader. She was the project leader for the update of the Multiplication/Division Table, and has been working on such diverse projects as the development of a teacher’s guidebook for our popular Geometro products; the Expanded Beginner’s Abacus; Feel the Beat, Teaching Braille Music; and the Talking Protractor project, among others.

Prior to her work at APH, Sandi was the director of Enabling Technologies of Kentuckiana (enTECH) and the Technical Assistance Specialist for the National Technical Assistance Consortium for children and Young Adults Who Are Deafblind (NTAC). She also worked for the Helen Keller National Center and the University of Kentucky Deafblind Project.

In her retirement Sandi plans to spend time with her three year old grandson, Will; to travel with friends and family; and to work as a consultant for the Printing House. Congratulations on a great career and best wishes for an even better retirement.

Welcome Marissa Slaughter, Social Media Coordinator

Congratulations to Marissa Slaughter, APH’s new Social Media Coordinator! Marissa is continuing the good work of Michael McCarty, who has moved on to our Customer Relations Department. Marissa comes to us with new ideas and a lot of enthusiasm for social media! She is also working toward her Master’s degree in disability studies. Look for Marissa’s work on Facebook, in our Fred’s Head blog, on Twitter, and more.

You can submit articles to Fred’s Head! Please contact Marissa at email hidden; JavaScript is required if you have an idea for an article or a completed article you would like to submit.

Announcing the APH Facebook "Like Us" Contest!

Win a $250 APH Gift Certificate!

*$250 APH Gift Certificate!

Have you "Liked" the APH Facebook page? Like us by midnight, Friday October 12, 2012 and you will be entered in a random drawing for a $250 APH gift certificate! Everyone who has Liked our page by October 12 will be eligible for the drawing, subject to the official rules. Drawing will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 during the closing session of APH Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky (although we’d enjoy your participation in the meeting, you do not have to be present to win).

By Liking us on Facebook, you’ll get great information about APH products, services, and events, plus you may just win an APH gift certificate!

APH Welcomes New Ex Officio Trustee

Steve Shirak, the Hawaii Department of Education and the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind, replacing Christian Yates.

APH Travel Calendar

August

August 1, 2012
APH Products for Daily Living; Product Training in conjunction with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind;
Talladega, AL

APH Sizzlin’ Summer Savings

New Downloadable Manual Available

Get the manual you need instantly! APH offers a selected list of product manuals available for free download (www.aph.org/manuals/). You may print or emboss these as needed. We will continue to package hard copies of these manuals with their products and sell hard copy replacements.

Related Products

EZ Track is a multi-faceted line of low vision products to help you get organized…and stay that way!

Designed for people with low vision, EZ Track products utilize large print of at least 18 points, easy-to-use binder formatting, and special accessories as aids in organizing important day-to-day activities.

The EZ Track Calendar: Low Vision Appointment Book and Calendar offers a systematic and organized way of keeping track of appointments, holidays, and other events. Each large print page holds four days, with enough room to write notes and appointments. The calendar comes with a three-ring binder.

NEW COLORS! APH Braille T-Shirt

Additional Shipping Charge

All shipments will incur actual UPS shipping rates based on the destination.

The front of this high quality, 100 percent cotton shirt has an APH logo in the upper left, while the back has the braille alphabet in puff ink and the slogan: We Have a Special Touch! Other colors available include black, jade, navy, red, royal blue, and yellow.

APH offers a number of recreational books in braille (Quota funds can be used). Each of these titles was originally transcribed and produced by APH for the National Library Service which has graciously granted permission for this offering. As usual, these titles have been added to the APH Louis Database where you can find thousands of titles produced in accessible formats.

Note: all books are produced upon receipt of orders, therefore, please allow several weeks for delivery.

Just Grace and the Snack Attack
by Charise Mericle Harper: T-N1884-10 — $25.00
Just Grace and her class are forced to study food from around the world after troublemaker Owen jokes about someone’s lunch. Just Grace picks potato chips for her topic but gets jealous when her dad helps her friend Mimi research his favorite food — hot dogs. Grades K-3. *(AR Quiz # 134262, BL 5.0, Pts. 3.0)

To The Rescue: Found Dogs with a Mission
by Elise Lufkin: T-N1883-80 — $56.50
An animal-adoption advocate profiles fifty-two dogs and one cat that were rescued from abuse or abandonment and trained as therapy and service animals. Offers firsthand accounts of individuals who benefited from their companionship. Includes questions to consider before adopting a dog.

Tropic of Cancer
by Henry Miller: T-N1870-20 — $98.00
Recounts the experiences, sensations, and thoughts of a young expatriate American writer and his friends in 1930s Paris as they scrounge for food, read and converse, and have relationships. The author’s autobiographical first novel initially published in 1934. Some strong language and adult content.

Postmistress
by Sarah Blake: T-N1884-90 — $93.00
1940-1941. Postmistress Iris and newlywed Emma are newcomers on Cape Cod, while female reporter and New York native Frankie is covering the Blitz in London. Emma’s physician husband joins the war effort in England, where a tragic accident brings the three women’s lives together. Some strong language and adult content.